WBRZ - Baton Rouge

CONCORD, N.H. - Authorities in at least six states are investigating whether a traveling hospital technician accused of infecting 30 people with hepatitis C in New Hampshire exposed earlier patients to the liver-destroying disease.

David Kwiatkowski, a former technician at Exeter Hospital, was arrested Thursday at a Massachusetts hospital where he is receiving treatment.

U.S. Attorney John Kacavas says once 33-year-old Kwiatkowski is well enough to be released, he will be transferred to New Hampshire to face federal drug charges.

He describes Kwiatkowski as a "serial infector" who worked in at least half a dozen states.

Investigators believe Kwiatkowski, 33, stole syringes containing fentanyl, a powerful anesthetic more potent than morphine, and injected himself with them.

They say he then put another liquid, such as saline, into the syringes, which were later used for patients.

A search of his vehicle uncovered an empty fentanyl syringe and several needles.